Catching up with ... Stephen French

Amara Aguilar

It took a midlife crisis to put things in perspective for Stephen

French.

He was already well educated and well traveled. He had two degrees

from UC Berkeley, a bachelor’s in rhetoric and a master’s in chinese

studies, but he wondered what he was accomplishing in life or if he would

look back later and regret not taking a chance on his dreams.

French taught English for two years in China before going to graduate

school, and after earning his master’s went to Taiwan for more language

studies.

With plenty of teaching experience and high credentials, he thought

maybe he would be wasting his time coaching basketball, something he

always thought in the back of his mind he might enjoy doing on a

full-time basis.

He felt coaching wasn’t a serious enough career to pursue, but he

didn’t want to reflect back later in life and be consumed by feelings of

regret.

So one day, French decided to take his shot at coaching basketball.

He began volunteering at Concordia University under head men’s

basketball coach Greg Marshall.

It wasn’t exactly where French had pictured himself and times were

sometimes tough.

“There were some days I wondered if I was doing the right thing,”

French said. “I was a volunteer and slept in the training room a few

times and tried to find empty rooms wherever I could find them. Coach

Marshall was good to me. He supported me and taught me a lot and gave me

a great chance.”

Although it doesn’t sound glamorous, it was a chance of a lifetime for

French. A chance for him to see what he was missing. French went on to

become an assistant under Marshall at Concordia for seven seasons and was

instrumental in helping the Eagles reach the NAIA National Tournament and

a final eight finish in 1999.

Eventually, he found himself interviewing for the head coaching job at

Vanguard University.

“I didn’t know a lot about Vanguard when I interviewed,” French said,

“but I am really grateful things have worked out here.”

Although French wasn’t very familiar with Vanguard, he had been on the

campus before. While coaching with Concordia, the team played the Lions

in Vanguard’s cozy gym, the Pit.

“This has always been one of the funnest gyms to play in,” French

said. “Fan support has been great. It’s a dump when you look at it, but

it’s such a fun environment.”

French, 43, is in his third season as head coach of the Lions. The

squad has made the playoffs in the first two seasons French has been at

the helm.

Currently, Vanguard is on a hot streak. The Lions (6-8) recently won

four straight and have already posted one of its biggest wins of the

season, a 72-70 triumph over San Jose State on Dec. 20.

“Everyone felt good about that win,” French said. “The great thing is

that the guys have confidence now. They held on against a good opponent.

The guys know what they are capable of now.”

French talks about his team with excitement in his voice. He has

already piled up handfuls of memories in his short time coaching of the

Lions.

“I can’t imagine having a better career,” French said. “I enjoy every

day I come into work. I love what I do. The relationships you get out of

sports are intense and make it fun.”